1777

June 13. Nineteen-year-olf Marquis de Lafayette comes to the United States to help the Colonies in the war against the motherland.

June 14. The Continental Congress adopts the star-spangled banner as national flag.

July 2. Vermont is the first colonial territory where slavery is abolished [After the Revolution, Vermont will remain an independent republic. The state will join the Union only as late as 1791.]

September 11. The rebel troops commanded by George Washington are defeated in the Battle of Brandywine.

September 25. His Majesty's general William Howe conquers Philadelphia.

October 17. His Majesty's general John Burgoyne surrenders at Saratoga. The attempt to isolate New England from the other Colonies meets complete failure.